Confucius Quotes
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Kong Qiu, or Master Kong as he was known, did not live to see his days of glory. During his lifetime, his views were received with scorn. But that was about two thousand five hundred years ago. A handful of his dedicated followers passed on Confucius' teachings to future generations. After Confucius' death, his followers published his teachings in the book, The Analects of Confucius.
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The superior man... does not set his mind either for or against anything, he will pursue whatever is right. The superior man thinks of virtue, the common man of comfort.
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Be aroused by poetry; structure yourself with propriety, refine yourself with music.
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Virtue is not solitary; it is bound to have neighbors.
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To acknowledge our faults when we are blamed, is modesty; to discover them to one's friends in ingenuousness, is confidence; but to preach them to all the world, if one does not take care, is pride.
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Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
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The superior man will watch over himself when he is alone. He examines his heart that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause of dissatisfaction with himself.
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Do not unto another that you would hot have him do unto you. Thou needest this law alone. It is the foundation of all the rest.
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Ask yourself constantly, "What is the right thing to do?" Behave toward everyone as if receiving a great guest.
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Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.
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The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this.
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The superior man is anxious lest he should not get the truth; he is not anxious lest poverty should come upon him.
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There are cases in which the blade springs, but the plant does not go on to flower. There are cases where it flowers, but no fruit is subsequently produced.
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Teachers open the door ... you enter by yourself.
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Study without reflection is a waste of time; reflection without study is dangerous.
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The superior man undergoes three changes. Looked at from a distance, he appears stern; when approached, he is mild; when he is heard to speak, his language is firm and decided.
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The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man without trials.
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To throw oneself into strange teachings is quite dangerous.
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Waste begets self-will; thrift begets meanness: but better be mean than self-willed.
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A man who lacks reliability is utterly useless.
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The man of upright life is obeyed before he speaks.
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The ideal teacher guides his students but does not pull them along; he urges them to go forward and does not suppress them; he opens the way but does not take them to the place.
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Death and life have their determined appointments; riches and honors depend upon heaven.
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Girl who sit on Judge's lap get honorable discharge.